Anita Hamm, age 91 of Nemaha, IA, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City, IA. Anita Jean (Cook) Hamm was born October 12, 1931, at the Arlington, Nebraska farm home of her parents, Merritt and Ruth Jensen Cook. She began her education at the neighborhood country school. Along with her sisters, Patricia and Marlene, and brother Donald, the family moved in 1940 to their newly purchased farm east of Nemaha. She was confirmed that same year at the Nemaha Methodist Church where she became a dedicated lifelong member. She attended the Nemaha school where she was a starting guard on the state tournament basketball team as a freshman and graduated as valedictorian of her class. Her Iowa farm background would go on to shape her lifelong priorities, including the value placed on family, hard work, community, frugality and service.
On July 10, 1949, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Hamm and they began a life on their own farm. They were blessed with four children: Kevin (who died in infancy), Janet, James and Nancy. They all worked together on their dairy farm and enjoyed family, church, 4-H, school and community activities. Anita took great pleasure in preparing countless meals and lunches for farm workers and gatherings of family and friends. Community was important to her and she initiated Nemaha’s annual Memorial Day Brunch and fall Potluck Picnic.
Anita was a charter and 50-year member of the Nemaha Federated Women’s Club and a member of the Nemaha Methodist Church administrative council, where she served as Recording Secretary for 28 years and was a member of the church choir. She was also an active member and officer of several other organizations including United Women in Faith (UNW), the Howard Center Board and the Early Library Board. She was a proud 4-H club leader and a willing volunteer at the local school or wherever she was needed. Anita was honored with a Governor’s Volunteer Award presented by Governor Branstad in 1990. In 2020, she was honored to receive induction into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
Kenny and Anita enjoyed countless hours attending varied activities of their children and grandchildren, especially sitting in the bleachers at sporting events. Anita was a devoted follower of the local high school and college sports teams throughout her life. She was also an avid reader and truly enjoyed both sewing and gardening (especially flowers). She sent and received dozens of greeting cards and letters every year, writing heartfelt notes to her great grandchildren into her 90s.
Kenny and Anita were together nearly 70 years in sickness and in health. She leaves behind family, friends, and many others whose lives she touched. We believe she left us enough love and enough memories to gently lead us to the place where we will once again find the joy, faith, love, and humor she found in life. As one who loved to both hear and tell a good story, she asked to be remembered with smiles as well as tears.
Anita was preceded in death by husband Kenneth, son, Kevin Lee, parents Merritt and Ruth Cook, parents-in-law G.D. and Evelyn Hamm, sister and brother-in-law Pat and Ray Combes, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dorothy and Gerald Hines, sister-in-law Mary Lou Cook, niece Jolene Blass Perryman and nephews Brian Blass and Linne Hines. Those who mourn her passing include her children Janet and husband Scott Onstot, James, and Nancy and husband Dean Stock; grandchildren Emily and Mike Busch, Matthew and Kelly Onstot, Gregory and Nikia Onstot, Sondra and Jeremy Rierson, Kristen and Scott Poen, Erica and Drew Wiener, Nathan and Vanessa Hamm; great- grandchildren Hayden and Farrah Busch, Easton and Arthur Onstot, Maggie and Hank Rierson, Vincent, Audrey and Johnny Poen, Boden, Maren and Hayes Wiener and Elayna Hamm; sister Marlene Nelson; brother Don Cook; and many extended family members.
